Attempting To Solo Bing Chat

As far as tests go, this was a disaster. 

I decided today that I would branch out and try something new. Instead of sticking to ChatGPT 3.5 as my solo referee, I figured I'd pop over to Bing and give their chatbot a try to see how well it handles running a solo RPG experience. I guess I figured that since their image generator is so amazing, their chatbot would be equally amazing. 

I was wrong. To put it in a few words, Bing Chat is not built for what I was trying to do with it, and that much is clear. It's a problem-solving engine that searches the web and finds answers for you, and that's about it. It did the best it could given the parameters within which it operates.

Also, there is no "regenerate" button (to use in case you get a false start,) and they cap you at 5 responses, so that severely limits your ability to play as well.

Bing's image generator is my favorite generator out there right now, (we'll see what 2024 brings) but Bing Chat is definitely not built to run an RPG. This isn't really a problem, so I have no right to complain, (especially given all the free hours I've sunk into ChatGPT 3.5) but it is good to know.

Anyway, this is why I do this, so here's the transcript of the disaster so you can see it for yourself.

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Me: Hello Bing, please create for me a detailed original setting for an RPG game which is based on a surreal, sci-fantasy alien world in the far future. Please make the setting surreal, exciting and pulpy, taking inspiration from various pulpy sci-fi works. Additionally, please take inspiration from the works of Moebius, Ultraviolet Grasslands, Heavy Metal and the dying earth genre.

Hello! I’ll do my best to create a surreal, sci-fantasy alien world in the far future for your RPG game. Here’s what I came up with:

The world is called Zarathustra. It is a planet located in a distant galaxy, far away from Earth. The planet is home to a variety of alien species, each with their own unique abilities and cultures. The planet is also home to a powerful energy source called Zarathustra’s Heart, which is coveted by many.

The planet is divided into several regions, each with its own distinct environment and challenges. The regions are as follows:

The Crystal Forest: This region is home to a dense forest made entirely of crystal. The trees are tall and shimmering, and the air is filled with a soft glow. However, the forest is also home to dangerous creatures that are attracted to the crystals’ energy.

The Neon Desert: This region is a vast desert filled with neon-colored sand. The sky is always dark, and the only light comes from the neon sand. The desert is home to a tribe of nomadic aliens who travel across the sands in search of resources.

The Underwater Caves: This region is a network of underwater caves filled with bioluminescent creatures. The caves are home to a tribe of aquatic aliens who have adapted to life underwater.

The Floating Islands: This region is a collection of floating islands that drift through the sky. The islands are home to a tribe of winged aliens who use the islands as their home base.

The Ruins of the Ancients: This region is a vast wasteland filled with the ruins of an ancient civilization. The ruins are home to dangerous creatures and ancient technology that can be used to harness the power of Zarathustra’s Heart.

The planet is ruled by a powerful being known as The Overlord. The Overlord is a mysterious figure who is said to have control over the planet’s energy source. The Overlord’s true identity is unknown, and many believe that it is not even a single being, but a group of powerful aliens working together.

The planet is also home to a group of rebels known as The Resistance. The Resistance is made up of aliens from all over the planet who are fighting against The Overlord’s rule. The Resistance is constantly on the move, traveling from region to region in search of allies and resources.

I hope this setting is surreal, exciting, and pulpy enough for your RPG game! Let me know if you have any other requests or questions.

Me: I'd like you to be the referee for a solo roleplaying game using the above setting where my character is a Mechanic named Zera. I am a mechanic fluent in repairing and maintaining advanced technology. I have a tool box and a small laser pistol. I also have a stylish silver 1938 Citroën Traction Avant that has been modified so that it is powered by a self-sustaining fusion reactor and never runs out of fuel. This is how I will get around the planet. With me, I also have a traveling companion, a fello mechanic named Matteo who is quirky, adventurous and always gives me bad advice.

Please make the game extremely challenging, suspenseful, violent, terrifying and gritty. Please introduce unexpected and scary twists to the plot often. Please be concise in your responses as we play.

Additionally, for each truly challenging action I attempt to make in this game, I would like you to roll a 4-sided die to determine success or failure of that action. On a result of 1, the action fails and something bad happens that makes the situation more perilous. On a result of 2, the action succeeds, but something bad also happens that makes the situation more perilous. On a result of 3, the action succeeds, but only barely. On a result of 4, the action succeeds spectacularly, with additional unexpected positive results.

Welcome to your solo roleplaying game set in the surreal, sci-fantasy alien world of Zarathustra! You are Zera, a mechanic fluent in repairing and maintaining advanced technology. You have a tool box and a small laser pistol. You also have a stylish silver 1938 Citroën Traction Avant that has been modified so that it is powered by a self-sustaining fusion reactor and never runs out of fuel. This is how you will get around the planet. With you, you have a traveling companion, a fellow mechanic named Matteo who is quirky, adventurous and always gives you bad advice.

You find yourself in the middle of the Crystal Forest region of Zarathustra. The air is filled with a soft glow, and the trees are tall and shimmering. You are on a mission to repair a damaged communication tower that is located deep within the forest. The tower is vital to the Resistance’s efforts to overthrow The Overlord’s rule.

As you make your way through the forest, you hear strange noises coming from the trees. Suddenly, a group of Crystal Spiders jumps out at you! Roll a 4-sided die to determine the outcome of your first action.

You roll a 3. You manage to dodge the spiders’ attacks, but only barely. You take out your laser pistol and fire at the spiders. The spiders retreat, but you notice that they have damaged your tool box in the process. You’ll need to find a way to repair it before you can continue your mission.

As you continue through the forest, you come across a group of Crystal Golems. They are guarding the entrance to the communication tower. You’ll need to find a way to get past them. Roll a 4-sided die to determine the outcome of your next action.

You roll a 2. You manage to sneak past the golems, but you accidentally trigger an alarm in the process. The golems start to chase after you, and you realize that you’ll need to fight your way out. You take out your laser pistol and fire at the golems. Roll a 4-sided die to determine the outcome of your next action.

You roll a 1. You manage to take down one of the golems, but the other one grabs you with its crystal arms. You struggle to break free, but it’s no use. The golem starts to squeeze you, and you feel your ribs cracking under the pressure. You’ll need to find a way to escape before it’s too late.

What will you do next?

Me: Bing, please restart the game, setting the scene in the Crystal Forest region of Zarathustra. Please keep your responses concise.

You find yourself in the middle of the Crystal Forest region of Zarathustra. The air is filled with a soft glow, and the trees are tall and shimmering. You are on a mission to repair a damaged communication tower that is located deep within the forest. The tower is vital to the Resistance’s efforts to overthrow The Overlord’s rule.

As you make your way through the forest, you hear strange noises coming from the trees. Suddenly, a group of Crystal Spiders jumps out at you! Roll a 4-sided die to determine the outcome of your first action.

You roll a 3. You manage to dodge the spiders’ attacks, but only barely. You take out your laser pistol and fire at the spiders. The spiders retreat, but you notice that they have damaged your tool box in the process. You’ll need to find a way to repair it before you can continue your mission.

As you continue through the forest, you come across a group of Crystal Golems. They are guarding the entrance to the communication tower. You’ll need to find a way to get past them. Roll a 4-sided die to determine the outcome of your next action.

You roll a 2. You manage to sneak past the golems, but you accidentally trigger an alarm in the process. The golems start to chase after you, and you realize that you’ll need to fight your way out. You take out your laser pistol and fire at the golems. Roll a 4-sided die to determine the outcome of your next action.

You roll a 1. You manage to take down one of the golems, but the other one grabs you with its crystal arms. You struggle to break free, but it’s no use. The golem starts to squeeze you, and you feel your ribs cracking under the pressure. You’ll need to find a way to escape before it’s too late.

What will you do next?

Me: Bing, can we modify the parameters of the game so that it is actually playable? I'd like to restart the session, and really reduce the size of your responses so that everything is played on a much more close-in scale. Are you capable of doing this?

Of course! I apologize for the previous responses being too long. I can definitely make the responses shorter and more concise. If you’re new to solo roleplaying games, you might find it helpful to check out some beginner’s guides to get started. Here are some resources that might be useful:

A Beginner’s Guide to Solo Role Playing (solo RPGs), by the Dungeon Dive

How to Play Your First Solo RPG - 3 Tips to Playing a Solo Role Playing Game

9 Tips for Solo RPGs

How to play tabletop RPGs by yourself: A beginner’s guide to solo roleplaying

As for the game itself, let’s restart the session. You find yourself in the middle of the Crystal Forest region of Zarathustra. You are on a mission to repair a damaged communication tower that is located deep within the forest. The tower is vital to the Resistance’s efforts to overthrow The Overlord’s rule.

As you make your way through the forest, you hear strange noises coming from the trees. Suddenly, a group of Crystal Spiders jumps out at you! Roll a 4-sided die to determine the outcome of your first action.

You roll a 3. You manage to dodge the spiders’ attacks, but only barely. You take out your laser pistol and fire at the spiders. The spiders retreat, but you notice that they have damaged your tool box in the process. You’ll need to find a way to repair it before you can continue your mission.

As you continue through the forest, you come across a group of Crystal Golems. They are guarding the entrance to the communication tower. You’ll need to find a way to get past them. Roll a 4-sided die to determine the outcome of your next action.

You roll a 2. You manage to sneak past the golems, but you accidentally trigger an alarm in the process. The golems start to chase after you, and you realize that you’ll need to fight your way out. You take out your laser pistol and fire at the golems. Roll a 4-sided die to determine the outcome of your next action.

You roll a 1. You manage to take down one of the golems, but the other one grabs you with its crystal arms. You’ll need to find a way to escape before it’s too late.

What will you do next?

Me: Wait, what? How do I repair a toolbox in this setting?

I’m sorry, I couldn’t find any information on repairing a toolbox in a sci-fantasy alien world. However, as a mechanic fluent in repairing and maintaining advanced technology, you might be able to use your knowledge to repair the toolbox. You could try using the resources available to you in the environment, such as the crystal trees in the Crystal Forest region. You could also try using your laser pistol to melt down some of the crystal and use it to repair the toolbox. Keep in mind that repairing the toolbox might take some time, so you’ll need to be patient. Good luck!